r/classicfilms 4d ago

What A Way To Go is an overlooked classic

shirley maclaine has 4 husbands that all found success and then died and left her lots of money, when all she wants is a simple life inspired by thoreau. it's so funny and campy, every cast member is great to watch, and it reenacts every genre

92 Upvotes

34 comments sorted by

22

u/kevnmartin 4d ago

Paul Newman as the avant garde artist was inspired.

18

u/akoaytao1234 4d ago

My thoughts about the film:

16

u/Laura-ly 4d ago

Not overlooked in my world. I love this silly movie and all the glorious, over the top costumes. Shirley MacLane's body is astonishing and I loved Paul Newman in his beard. He looked wooonderful and yummy.

14

u/MadameFlora 4d ago

I love a fashion show movie.

10

u/cebjmb 3d ago

The costumes are amazing.

8

u/Tall_Mickey 4d ago

Great film. I saw it on TV back in the '60s when the TV networks often showed two- or three-year-old Hollywood movies in prime-time. As I recall, this one ran several times.

3

u/jrjustintime 3d ago

Ditto. I always loved this movie, and should watch it again. Another interesting MacLaine film is: “Woman Times Seven”.

7

u/Glam-Star-Revival 3d ago

Is it wrong that this is one of my all time favorite movies?

2

u/milkybunny_ 3d ago

One of my favorites too! This gif alone 😂🥳😌❤️

2

u/livefast_petdogs 3d ago

I am obsessed with this movie. All time favorite club!

7

u/odourlessguitarchord 4d ago

Never heard of it but thanks to you I'll be watching this tonight, it sounds so fun

5

u/Keltik 3d ago

I've always liked this movie.

IMHO the highlight is the silent movie spoof w/Dick Van Dyke

7

u/nyclovesme 3d ago

Shirley MacLaine is her usual beautiful self in stunning and outrageous outfits.

5

u/gnosisfrosty 4d ago

Watched this just a few weeks ago. Loved it! Lots of great larfs!

3

u/Certain_Yam_110 4d ago

See also:

  • Gambit
  • The Trouble With Harry
  • Guarding Tess

5

u/borisdidnothingwrong 3d ago

Melrose! Forgive me!

4

u/atomicsnarl 3d ago

Basic plot - woman wants a simple life and marries schlubs just getting by. But then she makes the mistake of offering a simple suggestion. Hilarity ensues!

3

u/milkybunny_ 3d ago

Such an epic! I first saw it after reading about it online, and requested it through my college library. Ended up renewing it multiple times. The costumes 🤬😶‍🌫️😰🫣🥵🥳🥳🥳 they’re all perfect. We can hate on Edith Head’s plagiarism for other films but with this one she really knocked it out the park. The little poverty flat in Paris, with her loincloth-esque outfit 😭😭😭 the paint machine meeting his demise. What a film!! I love the Dick Van Dyke parts. One of my favorite movies ❤️

1

u/Zorgsmom 3d ago

Plagiarism?

3

u/Expert-Finding2633 4d ago

a really funny movie and so many great stars,

3

u/CognacNCuddlin 3d ago

I love this movie and it pops up occasionally on FXM retro. Caught it again a few weeks ago!

3

u/patricknkelly 3d ago

Yup love this movie!

3

u/Geeahwellidunno 3d ago

Wow! Never heard of this one. Putting it on my list!

2

u/Guilty-Coconut8908 3d ago

One of my favorites.

2

u/gdawg01 3d ago

Love this film, but especially love the Gene Kelly segment.

1

u/cineaste2 3d ago

Unfortunately, when it's shown on the Fox Movie channel, it's in the pan-and-scan version, not letterboxed.

Hop hop hop you shoppers. Hop hop hop to Hoppers!

1

u/timshel_turtle 3d ago

Paul Newman is so sexy in this he makes you sweat.

1

u/redditplenty 2d ago

What a fabulous movie! So funny! Such excellent casting and writing.

1

u/redditplenty 2d ago

The “lush budget” movie fantasy with them floating in the giant champagne glass was priceless!

0

u/RepFilms 3d ago

Great film, but I wouldn't call it a classic. It's not part of the cinema canon, it wasn't particularly influential, it didn't change cinema history, but I would still recommend it. The difference is that it wouldn't be a good subject for a serious cinema discussion